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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2005 and 2008 (based on 6 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 85.7 pts. and median of 86 pts. in 37 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Eroling on 7/3/2021 & rated 89 points: Wasn’t expecting much but was surprised. Stored this well past its “drink by” date so that I’d have a birthday year bottle for my daughter’s HS graduation. Was expecting vinegar, ended up with a drinkable wine. Tannins were very mild, fruit was present but not much in the nose. Was quite drinkable, and I’d say past peak, but the peak for this wine was probably in 2003 so this was all a bonus. (542 views) | | | Tasted by YWG Wine Guy on 10/24/2011 & rated 89 points: As per other recent notes - now just about 10 yrs in bottle, and doing pretty good. Overall quality is one of a deep dark blackberry based wine with healthy amount of oak in there. Smooth, and the oak is a little prominent, but ok. Other qualities of the pencil lead that was mentioned. Was 20$ CAN - decent value. (3532 views) | | | Tasted by 3daywinereview.com on 8/16/2010 & rated 90 points: Minneapolis Wine Club Aussie Shiraz (My House): Still drinking well and served blind. Oak, spice, floral and soy sauce. Medium finish and more earth dominated now but for $7 wine a nice surprise. (4395 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 8/15/2010 & rated 90 points: Aussie Shiraz Wines at John's (John's): Bonus wine #1, served blind. This wine was definitely a surprise for everyone. The group thought Auusie, but no no, Washington state it is. Dark purple color, no bricking at all at 8 years on a base bottling. The nose was dynamic with earth, pepper, spices , black fruit and bit of oak present. The palate follows through on the nose, a bit lighter in body than some of the other big wines, but not much. The finish is medium. I was not sure how this would show, and I must say that the group really thought it stood well with the entire group of much more expensive wines. This will be worth a look in the future. Don't know if it drank this nice when it was young or not, but it sure did tonight. Solid 90+pts. (4203 views) | | | Tasted by Sbaskin on 1/15/2010 & rated 87 points: Perhaps past it's peak, however still smooth and enjoyable (4030 views) | | | Tasted by Beanpro on 7/15/2009 & rated 88 points: I think this wine is much better with food than as a stand alone drinker. (3868 views) | | | Tasted by paristrout on 3/27/2009 & rated 85 points: nice (1812 views) | | | Tasted by Rocky_30 on 1/28/2009: This wine tasted really good even after the Ideal drinking year :) (1880 views) | | | Tasted by Combee1 on 12/27/2008 & rated 84 points: No formal note. Just remember this bottle didn't live up to WS' billing. (1195 views) | | | Tasted by joshwoodward on 9/18/2008 & rated 91 points: Pencil lead nose. Rich, bracing tannins, medium acidity. Good body. Red fruit. Not as much pencil lead in taste. (1879 views) | | | Tasted by Combee1 on 7/31/2008 & rated 85 points: WS misses again. Very dark purple in glass with loads of sediment. Nose smothered in alcohol but does give up dark blueberry and blackberry fruit with pepper and licorice. Medium to full bodied with nice density of "new world' fruit and well balanced acidity. Tannins are a touch green and firm, but add nice structure. Blackberry, pepper, licorice on the palate with a somewhat short and thin finish. The wine just seems to kind of fall apart at the midpalate. Although, a nice effort at this price point. I think this wine is probably better served with food due to the nice acidity it offers. B-. (1893 views) | | | Tasted by bpraditkul on 5/29/2008 & rated 85 points: Pleasing hint of cinnamon and berries on the nose. Fruit forward, with very mild tannins and a relatively short finish. Not terrible, but definitely not great. (2078 views) | | | Tasted by mdstenner on 3/15/2008 & rated 89 points: Terrific value. Actually opened two days ago, and it's just getting better. Dark ruby colored, garnet almost, very dark. Rich concentrated nose of blackberry, tobacco, black raspberries and cedar. Rich, full palate with tons of fruit, a pot pourri of dark fruits. Very easy drinking, no tannin to speak of, lush mouthfeel, and even a good finish. Bravo! (2143 views) | | | Tasted by cellarbrator on 2/7/2008 & rated 72 points: I'm not sure if this is flawed or just below average. The nose started off awkward and quickly became unpleasurable. It smells of a sweaty wet dog and was sour and tart on the palate, with a lingering finish of dried plum. I've come to expect better from Chateau Ste. Michelle. (2321 views) | | | Tasted by winenewb068 on 1/30/2008 & rated 85 points: Saw this at a local retailer for $8 and decided to give it a try. Fairly simple and fruit-forward, but went well with braised lamb shank. A very nice 'drinking' wine. (2330 views) | | | Tasted by WG198 on 12/12/2007 & rated 84 points: Seemed a little tired. Although the color was good, the bouquet was weak. Some red fruits were apparent but nothing stood out. It had little length. It was okay with food. Would not purchase again. (2408 views) | | | Tasted by pickhardt on 12/6/2007 & rated 87 points: Nice nose, moderate complexity and finish. Fruit is OK, not special. Good value for $12, not an exceptional value. (2471 views) | | | Tasted by paristrout on 8/12/2007 & rated 82 points: no ready to drink. (2451 views) | | | Tasted by nietzschephilosopher on 6/12/2007 & rated 89 points: Lush, ripe blueberries and cedar oak on the nose with a hint of clove. Lots of fruit with some nice tannins to back it up. This is much better than I expected. It has a lot of the fruit of an Aussie Shiraz, but more structure, balance, and class. (2794 views) | | | Tasted by Kale on 4/24/2007 & rated 88 points: Solid wine. Very fruit forward. I really enjoy the Washington State Syrahs. Nice value. (2917 views) | | | Tasted by skiffman on 3/3/2007 & rated 86 points: Good fruit forward Syrah, very mild tannins and not much finish. Good value priced every day wine. (3017 views) | | | Tasted by erikkanderson on 2/26/2007 & rated 84 points: Peppery and earthy. This bottle, unlike the first one I tried, was off balanced, could of used more dark fruit flavors. Still an easy wine to drink. But needs to be enjoyed with food. (3070 views) | | | Tasted by markwriter on 2/23/2007 & rated 86 points: Kinda boring at first, but when it opened up it had a spicy (as in spiced-tea) kind of flavor that was interesting. Don't want to run out and buy a case, though. (2898 views) | | | Tasted by jchristopher on 2/4/2007 & rated 83 points: Blueberry notes, very drinkable for the price (2853 views) | | | Tasted by erikkanderson on 2/1/2007 & rated 86 points: Very drinkable. Good fruit, a little earthness to it. (2880 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Chateau Ste. Michelle Producer websiteSyrah Varietal article (Wikipedia) | (Wines Northwest)
Note that some producers in the Northern Rhone distinguish between simply Syrah and "Serine", the latter described as ‘an ancient clone of Syrah, the berries of which are more oval-shaped and less deeply pigmented than Syrah’ by producer Tardieu-Laurent. USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Columbia Valley Columbia Valley Winery Association |
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